Dino Babers will find a way to get Moe Neal on the field for Syracuse

Neal may line up at running back, he may line up at wide receiver, but Babers is determined to get the Forestview High School grad touches

By Jim Morrison sports@gastongazette.com

CHARLOTTE – If year two of the Dino Babers era at Syracuse is going to be better than last year’s 4-8 campaign, former Forestview High standout Moe Neal could end up being an important piece of the offensive puzzle for the Orange.

Neal, a 5-foot-11, 182-pound sophomore, is a dynamic playmaker who fits nicely into Babers' hurry-up spread system which lit up scoreboards at his prior coaching stops, Eastern Illinois and Bowling Green.

One question, however, regarding Neal, is how Babers plans to implement his multifaceted sophomore, who shined as a runner and pass-catcher during his four years starting for head coach Chris Medlin at Forestview.

“Here’s the problem Moe Neal has, he’s really good at running back and he’s really good at wide receiver. That’s his problem. ” Babers said Thursday at ACC Kickoff in Charlotte. “Now he also has a blessing, he’s really good at running back and he’s really good at wide receiver. Which means that he’s going to play. I just don’t know where he’s going to play, but the guy is going to play, he’s going to contribute to our football team. He’s going to travel, he’s going to help us win games and we’re excited about that."

Babers had Neal take reps at inside receiver as well as running back during 2017 spring drills. Neal is currently listed as the No. 2 running back on the Syracuse depth chart behind Dontae Strickland, the leading rusher last season for the Orange. The former Jaguar standout idolized LaDanian Tomlinson growing up and wears No. 21 in his honor, but Neal said he's fine with however his coach chooses to utilize him this season.

“I was brought up a running back, it was my natural position when I started playing football,” Neal said. “When I got to high school I converted to the slot receiver position my freshman year and I always had pretty good hands. I like both positions and am willing to play either one. Whatever my role is with the team as long as it helps us get wins.”

Babers sees potentially great things from his sophomore, wherever he puts Neal in the formation.

“Moe is just such a versatile player,” Babers said. “He has the ability to play numerous positions. We're so young in the development of our football family and what we're trying to get done at Syracuse, that he has the ability to help us in numerous areas.”

The first time Neal ever touched the football in a game at the collegiate level last season, he took it 49 yards to the house for a Syracuse touchdown against visiting Colgate.

Neal’s breakaway speed made a huge first impression on many of those in attendance at the Carrier Dome that evening. Amongst those impressed with the true freshman was Orange quarterback Eric Dungey.

“It was awesome and great to see,” Dungey said. “What an experience. What better way to open your college career than a 49-yard touchdown on your first touch. I was so happy for him. I think it gave him confidence. It’s what he needed to get going in college.”

In his varsity career at Forestview, Neal set the Gaston County record for yards from scrimmage (6,882) receptions (164) and points scored (630). He was a three-time All-Gazette first team selection and two-time WSOC “Big 22” honoree. As a true freshman, he played in all 12 Syracuse games and finished second on the team in rushing with 357 yards on 68 carries. His 5.2 yards per carry average was the highest on the team amongst players with at least five rushing attempts.

Against defending national champion Clemson last November, Neal was SU’s leading rusher with 64 yards on seven carries, including a 49-yard run.

Neal, the first Forestview player to earn a scholarship to a school in a Power Five conference, followed his performance against Clemson with a career-high 91 yards on eight carries, including a 42-yard touchdown run at Pittsburgh.

“You look at the Clemson game where he made a fantastic run,” said Babers. “I pulled him aside and said, 'Now that's the big boys.' “So, he's going to help us. He's got the ability to do big things.”